Casting Complete for David Marshall Grant's Pen at the Guthrie

By Andrew Gans
October 9, 2007

Rob Melrose will direct David Marshall Grant's Pen, which will begin previews Nov. 3 at the Guthrie's Dowling Studio.

With an official opening set for Nov. 7, the three-person cast will comprise Marc Halsey, Michelle Barber and Philip Callen. Performances at the Minnesota venue will continue through Nov. 25.

Pen, according to press notes, is described as such: "As the 1960s come to a close, 17-year-old Matt Bayer (Marc Halsey) struggles to find balance out in the world and at home with his mother Helen (Michelle Barber). Confined to a wheelchair, Helen's multiple sclerosis continues to degenerate both her body and relationship with Matt; her sharp tongue and overbearing neediness threatens to stifle his last year of high school. Complicating matters is Matt's father, Jerry (Philip Callen), who left home to escape the pain of his wife's disease.

"New Year's Eve finds the three together in one room for the first time in years, revealing the scars affecting from each person's painful struggle. Backed into a corner, the young man makes a choice that unleashes a series of events which force a broken family to confront its unresolved wounds. On a night dedicated to looking toward the future, Helen and Matt get a chance to glimpse the world from each other's perspective with help from an unlikely place."

The creative team for Pen includes director Melrose (set designer), Christine Richardson (costume designer), Frank Butler (lighting designer), C. Andrew Mayer (sound designer), Michael Lupu (dramaturgy), Michele Harms (stage manager) and Christopher Flores (assistant stage manager).

David Marshall Grant also penned Snakebit, which was nominated for Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards. His acting credits include Bent and Angels in America as well as "And the Band Played On" and "thirtysomething." Grant is currently a writer and story editor for ABC's "Brothers & Sisters."

Tickets, priced $18 to $34, are on sale by calling (612) 377-2224 or by visiting www.guthrietheater.org.